Saudi Arabia’s SASO(MOCI) has issued a new notice: New products are added to the list of controlled products, effective June 18, 2026.

SASO Expands MOCI-Controlled Product List – New Requirements Effective 18 June 2026 According to the latest notification from the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), the list of products subject to MOCI (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) declaration requirements has been significantly expanded, adding 135 new product categories, effective 18 June 2026. Key Changes Under the New Rule The core of this update is that for products on the newly expanded list, importers must obtain an approved "Product Declaration Form" (i.e., the MOCI declaration) from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) before applying for a Shipment Certificate (SC) through the SABER platform. Impact on process: Without this approved MOCI declaration, the SABER platform will not approve the SC, and the goods will be unable to clear Saudi customs. HS code applicability: If the tariff code (HS) listed in the notification is 8 digits, the requirement applies to all sub‑categories under that code. Overview of Newly Added Controlled Product Categories The expanded list covers a wide range of industrial, construction, electrical, mechanical, and consumer goods, including: Paints and chemical products: e.g., acrylic or vinyl polymer paints, varnishes, acrylic polymers, polyurethane panels, etc. Building materials – this is a major focus of the expansion, including: Surface treatment agents: for exterior walls, floors, and other non‑refractory surfaces. Plastic and cement products: plastic products for construction, cement/concrete/artificial stone products. Steel products: various steel billets, hot‑rolled steel coils, etc. Textiles: e.g., carpets, rugs, and synthetic fibre dresses....

[Important Update]Saudi Arabia’s SASO ICT equipment standard upgraded to SASO 3114:2026

SASO 3114:2026 is a new Saudi Arabian standard for specific Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment. It was officially published on 19 May 2026 and replaces the previous standard SASO CITC GEN-002. Key Dates Transition Period: From now until 31 October 2026, certificates may still be issued under the old standard SASO CITC GEN‑002. Mandatory Enforcement: Starting 1 November 2026, all conformity certificates for the relevant products must comply with the new standard SASO 3114:2026. Expiry of Old Certificates: All Conformity Certificates (PC) and Shipment Certificates (SC) issued under the previous standard SASO CITC GEN‑002 will remain valid only until 31 March 2027, after which they will no longer be accepted. Product Scope The standard applies to the following six categories of ICT equipment: Mobile phones Tablets and mobile computers Routers and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) Other cellular devices Optical Network Terminals (ONT) and Home Access Gateways (HAG) Wi‑Fi distribution devices Main Technical Requirements The new standard sets out specific technical specifications for the above products, including the following examples: Emergency Communication: Smartphones must support the Advanced Mobile Location (AML) emergency communication service and shall be tested in accordance with ETSI TR 103 393. Alert Services: Mobile phones must support the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) to receive relevant alerts. Network and Frequency Bands: Other cellular network devices must support LTE, LTE‑M, or NB‑IoT, and must support bands B3, B8, B20, and B28. Wi‑Fi Technology: Wi‑Fi distribution devices should support the Wi‑Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) standard.

What is saber compliance?

SABER Compliance refers to the mandatory electronic product conformity certification program implemented by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) for all goods exported to Saudi Arabia. It is a compulsory requirement for products entering the Saudi market. The core of this system is the SABER online platform. Since its launch in 2019 and full transition by February 2020, all products subject to Saudi technical regulations must be registered in the SABER system by the importer to obtain the necessary compliance certificates before the goods can be cleared through customs. Core Certificates: PCoC and SCoC The key to SABER compliance is obtaining the following two certificates: Product Conformity Certificate (PCoC) – Issued for a specific product model. It certifies that the product model complies with relevant Saudi technical regulations and standards. A PCoC is typically required for each product model and each manufacturing plant. The certificate is valid for one year. Shipment Conformity Certificate (SCoC) – Issued for each individual shipment. It certifies that the specific batch of goods is consistent with the product certified under the PCoC. Each shipment (based on invoice/bill of lading) requires a separate SCoC application. This certificate is valid only for that particular shipment and is a mandatory document for customs clearance. Important Update: Effective 1 January 2025, all goods exported to Saudi Arabia must have both the PCoC and SCoC applications completed through the SABER system before arrival at the port. SCoC certificates issued after the goods have arrived will be considered invalid. Who Operates...

Does Saudi SABER certification require a factory inspection?

Not for all products. Whether a factory inspection is required depends on the product's risk level and specific category. In short, here are the main scenarios: Documentary registration only – no factory inspection For low‑risk products, when applying for the PCoC (Product Conformity Certificate) and SCoC (Shipment Conformity Certificate), you typically only need to submit technical documents. Neither factory inspection nor physical cargo inspection is required. Factory inspection may be required For medium‑ and high‑risk products, the requirements are stricter and may involve factory inspection, or even additional steps: Some medium‑low risk products: During the PCoC application, you may be asked to provide an accredited third‑party test report and may also need a factory inspection. High‑risk products (mandatory factory inspection): For high‑risk products (e.g., gas appliances, ceramic products, certain building materials), factory audit is compulsory. This usually requires applying for a stricter QM certification (Quality Mark), which is carried out by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) or its authorised bodies. The process can take 2–6 months. Post‑certification surveillance audits: Even after obtaining the PCoC certificate, for medium‑ and high‑risk products (such as household appliances, toys, auto parts, etc.), a yearly on‑site surveillance audit may be required during the validity of the certificate. Common product categories that often require factory inspection Based on industry experience, the following product categories have a higher likelihood of requiring a factory inspection: Gas appliances and accessories (e.g., gas stoves, valves, pipes) Ceramic products (e.g., ceramic toilets, bathtubs, ceramic tiles for construction) Automotive parts...

What is the saber certificate?

SABER certification is a mandatory conformity assessment regime for products imported into Saudi Arabia. All goods destined for the Kingdom must obtain this certification to clear customs. It is an online compliance management system launched in 2019 by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). The system aims to streamline product compliance evaluation and ensure that imported goods meet Saudi technical regulations and standards in terms of quality, safety, and environmental impact. SABER is fully integrated with the Saudi customs data system. Core: Two Key Certificates The SABER certification process revolves around obtaining the following two certificates: PC Certificate (Product Certificate of Conformity) Nature: A product conformity certificate – essentially a “product passport.” Validity: Typically one year. During this period, the same product can be shipped multiple times without re-application. Purpose: To certify that a specific product model complies with Saudi technical regulations. The applicant must be the local Saudi importer. SC Certificate (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) Nature: A certificate for a specific shipment – a “batch passport.” Validity: Valid for a single shipment only. A new SC must be applied for each and every shipment. Purpose: To confirm that the particular batch of goods matches the product described in the PC certificate. This is the primary document checked by Saudi Customs during clearance. Critical Rules and Important Reminders Mandatory Effective Date: As of January 1, 2025, all shipments to Saudi Arabia must have the SC certificate applied for through the SABER system before the goods...

[Saudi Arabia New Regulations] SCOC certificate must be applied before arrival at the port, otherwise it will be considered invalid and cannot be cleared

saso has been adjusted, please ignore the following content This is to inform you of a critical update by SASO regarding the shipment clearanceprocedures for goods entering Saudi Arabia. Effective January ist, 2025, it will be mandatory for all shipments to obtain both aCertificate of Conformity and a Shipment Certificate issued through Saber platform toensure clearance of shipments. This aims to ensure the quality and safety of importedgoods and compliance with SASO’s requirements. Undertaking letters will no longer be accepted for customs clearance, also issuance ofSABER certificates after the shipment's arrival will be considered a violation andCertification Body will be fully accountable.